Issue 1791 - Replica No 12, Signature Series, 2017

$14.50

"Collectors Replica Series #12" - story by Lee Falk and art by Wilson Mc Coy.

New Cover with the sculpture created by Eden Small.

Story :This is the 12th issue in Frew’s ‘Collectors Replica Series’ and reprints issues166, 165 and 164 from 1960.

No. 166 contains the very first publication of two significant Sundaystories. The first is the incredible 1954 story ‘The Belt’ and its partner storywhich followed directly after ‘The Belt’ finished its newspaper run, theunforgettable ‘The Master Spy.’ Wilson McCoy was the artist for both thesestories.‘The Belt’ is one of the most moving Phantom stories written by Lee Falksince ‘The Governor and Suzie’ back in 1943/44. One day each year ThePhantom honors the anniversary of his father’s death. Over ten years agoThe Phantom’s father destroyed the Singh Pirates flagship with the aid of aninformer who later stabbed him in the back and stole his gunbelt.Calder tells a story at The Explorers’ Club of how he met Rama, theuncrowned king of Gullique Island and saw The Phantom’s gunbelt framedon the wall like a trophy. The story is relayed to The Phantom who thenvisits Gullique. An old saying is remembered by the pirates ‘If The Phantomcomes to destroy Gullique, There’ll be a double rainbow in the sky.’‘The Master Spy’ is a Jungle Patrol story. Patrolman Smyth returns forthe third time now a Lieutenant. Dr Heg says he is an historian writing ahistory on The Jungle Patrol but in fact he is a spy trying to find out whothe Commander of the patrol is. Heg describes himself as the greatest spyon earth. The Phantom talks face to face with Lieutenant Smyth, Phantom“You know the patrol saying ‘Old timers stop asking who the Commander is’you’re an old timer.” Heg sees a person (The Phantom) leaving the old welland investigates. The well sign reads ‘well water condemned stay away.’ Helearns how the Commander’s orders get into the safe and sets out to destroythe patrol. One of the rare stories where The Phantom speaks face to facewith Colonel Weeks! Colonel “He didn’t tell me who he was…. could he be theunknown Commander? ‘The Belt’ was published complete in No. 1219 andmore recently in No. 1503 and ‘The Master Spy’ in No. 1177.No. 165 features the second publication of the 1953 daily story ‘The Ladyfrom Nowhere’ with art by Wilson McCoy. The story was first published inNo. 82 back in 1955. Lee Falk creates a fantastic mystery adventure for ThePhantom in this story of a young attractive woman hanging motionless in aparachute from the jungle treetops. She is a woman without a memory!The lady from nowhere is in fact Lydia Land the world’s richest womanwhose guardian, Mr James, has been gambling her money away. Jamesowes a lot of money to Dice who is behind several attempts to murderLydia. The Phantom parachutes, at night, to the deck of the S.S.Volna,reminiscent of the good old days of ‘The Singh Brotherhood.’ In a dramaticscene and one of the most fantastic devised by Lee Falk, The Phantom usesan elephant gun to shoot and explode a torpedo sent to sink the Volna!Phantom as he punches Dice “Dice, I dislike hitting people but this is apleasure.” This story was published complete in No. 1181.No. 164 features the second publication of the 1944 daily story ‘TheCrooner’ again with art by Wilson McCoy. The story was first published inNo. 77 back in 1955. In this story Uncle Dave is still in his military uniformand readers watch The Phantom exercising – a five mile swim, chin-ups200ft above the river, then a 10 mile run.For the first time a racket with a phoney skull mark ring where The Croonerleaves The Phantom’s mark at the scene of crimes his gang commit so thatThe Phantom will be blamed. The Phantom catches up with The Crooner –Crooner “First let me make the mark of The Phantom.” Phantom “No, let medo it. I’ve had more experience making that mark! I’ll start by leaving mymark on you – Phony!” Lee Falk certainly has a sense of humour when ThePhantom catches the gang and calls out to a policeman “Boooo.” Reminiscentof the 1943 daily story “Bent Beak Broder” when Jag calls to Sniff in themeat van and The Phantom replies “Moooooooooo.” This story was publishedcomplete in No. 1063 and more recently in No. 1560.Barry StubbersfieldPhantom Historian